HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – In wake
of recent news that Alabama experienced triple-digit brewery production growth
in 2012, Yellowhammer Brewing on Clinton Avenue is expanding its downtown location by
opening up its backyard and adding a 5,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden.

(file photo)

About three weeks ago, Yellowhammer launched its first tasting counter, which is open from noon to 7 p.m.
every Saturday for beer lovers to savor the brewery's six on-tap craft beers. Co-owner Ethan Couch said construction has started on the new backyard
area, which will feature picnic tables, shade trees and a patio for customers
to enjoy.

When the Brewery Modernization
Act passed in 2011, allowing Alabama breweries to have on-site tap rooms or
brewpubs, or to sell to wholesalers, Couch said Yellowhammer began planning to
open up its Huntsville location to the public.

"We're trying to create a
fun, pleasant atmosphere for people to get to see the brewery, see the tanks
and everything," he said. "We've had a good response to the tasting counter. I
think it has been better than expected and will grow pretty quickly once people
see we have something unique and different."

Couch, who hopes the new backyard area will be complete in one to two months, said Yellowhammer plans to add
additional hours and events at the brewery. Yellowhammer's Facebook and
Twitter pages will provide more information about changes in the coming weeks.

Yellowhammer Brewing, 2406
Clinton Ave., opened in Huntsville in October 2010. Couch said the brewery will
soon add three more beers to its selection and plans to offer between 15 to 20
on-tap beers in the future.

Beer production statewide grew 118 percent to 19,301 taxable
barrels of beer from 8,846 barrels in 2011, according to a report from the Alabama Brewers Guild. Madison County has the highest per capita volume of
breweries than any other county in Alabama.